In this Nov. 20, 2015, file photo, MP Gord Brown speaks to the Leeds-Grenville Economic Development Summit. Brown is strongly urging the federal Liberal government to move swiftly and enact punitive tariffs against the U.S. over country of origin labelling. (Newswatch Group/File)

OTTAWA – Local Conservative MP Gord Brown wants the Liberal government to move swiftly against the United States over country of origin labelling, known as COOL.

This, after the World Trade Organization yesterday (Monday) ruled Canada can impose $781 million ($227 million from Mexico) is retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports over the labelling issue.

The law mandated meat labels show where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered. Canada and Mexico successfully argued that it led to unfair livestock treatment.

A move to repeal the law was passed by the U.S. Congress but the Senate hasn’t acted.

“Since 2001, the WTO has told the U.S. that COOL regulations run contrary to their trade obligations,” Brown noted.

Brown is happy with the WTO ruling, calling the labelling “blatantly protectionist.”

Any delay by the Trudeau Liberals in enforcing the measures would be “betrayal of our agricultural sector,” Brown said.